A major milestone was recorded in Nigeria’s agricultural policy landscape as the Innovation Lab for Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF), in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), successfully convened a four-day capacity-building workshop on the Application of Partial Equilibrium (PE) Modelling for Agricultural Policy Analysis in Ibadan, Nigeria. The training is the first step towards developing Nigeria’s First Baseline Agrifood Outlook.

The workshop, held from 8th to 11th June, 2026, at the IITA Headquarters in Ibadan, was led by two FAO technical experts & economists, Sergio Rene and Abdi Ali, whose extensive knowledge in agricultural market modelling and policy analysis enriched the learning experience and provided participants with practical, globally relevant insights.

The training brought together agricultural economists, economists, agricultural extension specialists, statisticians, researchers, commodity experts, and policy practitioners to strengthen their capacity in rigorous modelling and analytical techniques for evidence-based policy analysis, forecasting, and strategic decision-making to promote sustainable agrifood systems transformation. 

A Defining Moment: PiLAF – IITA MoU Signing

A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IITA and PiLAF. The partnership agreement marks a significant step toward strengthening collaboration in agricultural policy research, capacity development, and the generation and application of evidence to inform policy and decision-making. Through this collaboration, both institutions aim to contribute to sustainable agrifood systems transformation and enhanced agricultural development outcomes in Nigeria.

This landmark partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a stronger foundation for data-driven agricultural development and sustainable food systems across Nigeria and beyond.

Throughout the four-day intensive training, participants gained practical experience in crop and livestock modelling, policy scenario analysis, baseline projections, model validation, and the application of internationally recognized frameworks such as the OECD-FAO Aglink-Cosimo model.

The workshop also laid the groundwork for a community of practice that will continue to support collaborative research, policy modelling, and the development of Nigeria’s Agrifood Outlook.

Together, we are building the future of evidence-based agricultural policymaking in Africa.

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